He barely spoke above a whisper as he talked of the tragedy that claimed five of his parishioners.

“It’s difficult. It’s very sad for these families that have lost their loves ones, but we are praying for them,” he said.

“I have no words to explain how I feel, but I know everything will be in God’s hands.”

Given the scope of the devastation, Rev Perez said he was amazed that “only” five of his parishioners were killed in the two buildings that were leveled.

Of the eight bodies pulled from the rubble, seven had been identified by Thursday night.

They included Greek national Andreas Panagopouolos, 43. Originally from Athens, he lived in one of the buildings for more than a decade with his wife, Lisbeth Perez, who was not at home at the time of the blast.

“I can’t go back to where we lived,” Ms Perez told The Wall Street Journal.

“It is too painful to go and see.”

The couple had been together for 13 years and married for eight. Panagopouolos had worked for a Web site from home.

Nowhere to go...Aisha Watts (R), applies for assistance at an American Red Cross disasterSource:AFP

The body of George Amadeo, 42, also found in rubble, and was identified late Thursday night.

He was home at the time of the blast, and was planning to help his 69-year-old mother, Carmen Pagan, move out of the apartment they had shared for the last six years.

Amadeo’s sister Jacqueline said that their mother was devastated.

“Our mother didn’t want to admit George was dead,” she said. “She didn’t believe us, but when she saw it on TV, she started crying immediately.”

Also identified as dead was Alexis “Jordy” Salas, who attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and worked in The Bronx.

Salas’ wife is expecting their child.

The names of the newly discovered dead join the growing list that includes dental hygienist Carmen Tanco, 67, who would travel to Third World countries on her vacations to help those in needs.

Also identified on Wednesday was Hunter College peace officer Griselde Camacho, 48, the single mother of a 15-year-old son.

Blast....Police officer Griselde Gamacho, a single mum with a 15-year-old son, was killedSource:Supplied